I’ve participated in a couple of marches this season, and even though Sacramento’s unusually civilized, even here the cops have seriously injured people with their “less-lethal” weaponry. A rubber bullet to an eye is as bad as a bullet, and people have been maimed. Pays to carry a first aid kit when you’re exercising free speech in America. There can be a price to pay.

“EDC”, “bug-out bag”, “FAK”, “tactical” this and “tactical” that. The line between civilian and military has never been more blurred.

So does Goal Zero

I expect the covid situation to get much worse in the fall and winter, so we may get another freezer for our basement so we can go longer between shopping trips.

We are considering getting a generator, but not sure it would be worth it…. It would require stockpiling a lot of propane… considering getting a small 100W solar panel system and a high capacity battery that can run some small appliances and lights…

Glad to see another prepper on here; I’ll add that channel to the current list.

The common home first-aid kit is a travesty, in my opinion. More a “comfort kit”, ten-year-old band-aids for the owies, itch cream and aspirin…useless if you actually get hurt, when you need first aid right away and can’t wait to be transported to a hospital.

I’ve been putting together upgraded kits for years. All the “pro” stuff you need, without an MD license, is available on Amazon and elsewhere. Gauze rolls and pads, tape, antiseptic, for starters. Israeli battle bandages are a must-have, designed to let a person self-apply a compression bandage one-handed. Tourniquet, more gauze. A trauma kit with clotting powder for the sucking chest wounds. (https://smile.amazon.com/gp/product/B00GAAMS2M/ref=ppx_yo_dt_b_search_asin_title?ie=UTF8&psc=1 is a kit with the aforementioned basics.) Neosporin. KN95 mask and nitrile gloves.

I’ve gotten useful info on the Skinny Medic U-toob channel (just ignore the militia vibe, who better than a militia member to give you advice about gunshot wounds? Seriously, though, he seems to be a real EMT). Skinny Medic demonstrates how to use the esoterica I name-dropped above.

Oh yeah, and a covid mask, because you don’t get a vacation from coronavirus because of some measly tropical storm.

Battery back-up systems are getting better and less expensive. Everything from powering a house to smaller battery packs good for charging phones and tablets. There are some great small solar panels available to charge the smaller batteries.

Still, for the benefit of those who may have to face such an emergency, let me go over the elementary precautions.

Stock up on flashlight and radio batteries, visit the ATM and get some cash, make sure you have plenty of non-perishable, easy to prepare food and lots of water for drinking, washing and hygiene. Gas up your vehicles, Check on your prescription meds and make sure your pet tackle and supplies are up to date. Deploy your shutters and clear your yard of all missile hazards. Do the laundry, and make sure all your important documents and valuables are in one easily accessible place in case you need to evacuate.

Its all common sense, really, but its amazing how EVERY time a big storm hits, how many people are caught flat-footed. Sure, its understandable that if your house is demolished or flooded out, you will be seriously inconvenienced, but complaining that there is nothing to eat or drink, the phones don’t work, and there is no electricity to pump gas, is inexcusable. The last time we got hit hard we were without power for 11 days. No air conditioning, no hot coffee, no CPAP, no TV….

Trust your local media, they do a good job of keeping you informed and instructing on how to prepare.